Multiple Input and Multiple Output Switch Networks

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment, a circuit package includes a programmable switch component having a plurality of input terminals arranged on the programmable switch component, a plurality of output terminals arranged on the programmable switch component and configured to be coupled to a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of switches. Each switch of the plurality of switches is coupled between an input terminal of the plurality of input terminals and an output terminal of the plurality of output terminals. Each switch of the plurality of switches includes a radio frequency (RF) switch and is configured to pass an RF signal when closed. Each input terminal of the plurality of input terminals is coupled to two switches of the plurality of switches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/252,322, filed on Apr. 14, 2014, whichapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a system and method forelectrical circuits, and, in particular embodiments, to a system andmethod for a Multiple Input and Multiple Output Switching Network.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices used with wireless communication systems, such ascellular phones, GPS receivers, and Wi-Fi enabled notebook and tabletcomputers, generally contain signal processing systems that haveinterfaces to the analog world. Such interfaces may include wire lineand wireless receivers that receive transmitted power and convert thereceived power to an analog or digital signal that may be demodulatedusing analog or digital signal processing techniques.

A typical wireless receiver architecture includes a low noise amplifier(LNA) that amplifies the very small signals that may be received by anantenna, provides gain to these small signals and passes an amplifiedsignal to later amplification and/or signal processing stages. Byproviding gain at the LNA, subsequent gain processing stages are madeinsensitive to noise, thereby enabling a lower system noise figure.

Such a wireless receiver is often also configured to operate in multiplefrequency bands. Multiple LNAs are used in such wireless systems tooperate the wireless system in multiple frequency bands. An LNA circuitgenerally contains at least one transistor and an input matchingnetwork. The purpose of the input matching network, which may be made ofone or more passive devices such as inductors and capacitors, is toprovide an impedance match and/or a noise match to a previous stage,such as an antenna, a filter, an RF switch, or other circuit. LNAimplementations may also include an output matching network, a biasnetwork, and other circuit structures such as a cascode transistor.

As wireless RF devices are being used in more environments with morevaried specifications, the integration of multiple LNAs to accommodatedifferent frequency bands is especially challenging and expensive.Particularly, the placement and usage of LNAs in such varied anddemanding systems present varied challenges. Among other things,challenging aspects of designing modern wireless RF devices may includereducing the effects of attenuation, decreasing sensitivity to noise,reducing cost, reducing design time and challenge, and increasing systemdata rates.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a circuit package includes a programmableswitch component having a plurality of input terminals arranged on theprogrammable switch component, a plurality of output terminals arrangedon the programmable switch component and configured to be coupled to aplurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of switches. Each switch of theplurality of switches is coupled between an input terminal of theplurality of input terminals and an output terminal of the plurality ofoutput terminals. Each switch of the plurality of switches includes aradio frequency (RF) switch and is configured to pass an RF signal whenclosed. Each input terminal of the plurality of input terminals iscoupled to two switches of the plurality of switches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system block diagram of an embodiment system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment system;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment wireless system;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of another embodiment system;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of a further embodiment system;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment switch system;

FIG. 7 illustrate s schematic of a switch circuit;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment component; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of operation of embodiment systems.

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generallyrefer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures aredrawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the embodiments andare not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of various embodiments are discussed in detailbelow. It should be appreciated, however, that the various embodimentsdescribed herein are applicable in a wide variety of specific contexts.The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specificways to make and use various embodiments, and should not be construed ina limited scope.

Description is made with respect to various embodiments in a specificcontext, namely wireless systems, and in particular, switch networks forlow noise amplifiers (LNAs) in wireless systems. Some of the variousembodiments described herein include switches, pin-outs, switchnetworks, LNAs, input multiplexing, and wire line routing for LNAinputs. In other embodiments, aspects may also be applied to otherapplications involving any type of switch network according to anyfashion as known in the art.

According to an embodiment, a switch network couples input linesincluding multiple frequency bands to an LNA bank including multipleLNAs. Embodiment mobile or wireless devices, such as cell phones,tablets, or laptops, for example, are configured to operate withmultiple frequency bands. Depending on the usage environment, thespecific number and configurations of the bands may vary. For example,different countries and different wireless providers may use or assigndifferent frequency bands to various applications and usage populations.Embodiment devices are configured to receive signals in specificfrequency bands and convey such signals through LNAs to processingcircuits. In such embodiments, each system for use with variousdifferent frequency bands may include a printed circuit board with aparticular configuration of wireless components. For example, an antennaor antennas may be coupled to an antenna switch, a filter bank, a switchnetwork, and LNA bank, and an application processor.

According to various embodiments, antenna signals are coupled to the LNAbank through a programmable switch network. Conventionally, differentconfigurations for different frequency bands required re-routing ofsignal line layouts and unique pin-outs specific to each set ofdifferent frequency bands. In embodiments described herein, programmableswitch networks couple or route the antenna signals to the LNA bankwithout re-routing the layout of signal lines in some cases and withoutunique pin-outs specific to each set of different frequency bands usedin the wireless system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system block diagram of an embodiment system 100including programmable switch network 102 and LNA bank 104 attached tocircuit package 106. According to various embodiments, signals arereceived on input lines IL1-ILm and conveyed through programmable switchnetwork 102 and coupling lines CL1-CLn to LNA bank 104. The signalsreceived on input lines IL1-ILm may include signals from differentfrequency bands. Particularly, each frequency band may be routed throughthe programmable switch to a specific LNA in LNA bank 104 that isconfigured to receive and amplify signals within the respectivefrequency band. LNA bank 104 receives signals on coupling lines CL1-CLnand provides amplified output signals on output lines OL1-OLp. Accordingto various embodiments, m, n, and p may be any numbers. In oneparticular embodiment, m=8, n=3, and p=3, corresponding to eight inputlines, three coupling lines to three LNAs, and three output lines. In afurther embodiment, p=1, corresponding to a single output line coupledto the outputs of three LNAs in LNA bank 104. These numbers areillustrative and numerous other configurations are envisioned within thescope of various embodiments, as is described below in reference to theother figures. In some embodiments, the various frequency bands suppliedto the LNAs in LNA bank 104 may include frequencies between 700 MHz and2.7 GHz. In other embodiments, frequencies up to 3.5 GHz may be used. Instill further embodiments, any frequencies may be used.

In various embodiments, carrier aggregation includes using more than oneof the frequency bands coupled to input lines IL1-ILm simultaneously.For example, switch network 102 may couple a subset of inputs IL1-ILm toan LNA or a plurality of LNAs in LNA bank 104. The subset of input linesmay simultaneously convey signals from multiple frequency bands to asingle LNA or to a plurality of LNAs in LNA bank 104. In someembodiments, the single LNA supplies a single output line driving thesignals from multiple frequency bands simultaneously. In otherembodiments, the plurality of LNAs may be multiplexed at an output tosupply a single output line driving the signals from multiple frequencybands simultaneously. In the various embodiments, carrier aggregation isenabled through switch network 102 and LNA bank 104 driving the signalsfrom multiple frequency bands simultaneously at an output line of theoutput lines OL1-OLp.

According to various embodiments, programmable switch network 102includes coupling between each input line IL1-ILm and at least twooutputs from coupling lines CL1-CLn. In a specific embodiment,programmable switch network 102 includes coupling between each inputline IL1-ILm and every coupling line CL1-CLn. When programmable switchnetwork 102 is programmed, at least some of input lines IL1-ILm arecoupled to coupling lines CL1-CLn. In various embodiments, every inputline of IL1-ILm is coupled to a single coupling line of CL1-CLn and tothe LNA attached thereto. In such embodiments, a subset of input linesIL1-ILm including multiple input lines may be coupled to a singlecoupling line of CL1-CLn. The subset may be driven simultaneously forcarrier aggregation or separately for each frequency band.Alternatively, some of the input lines IL1-ILm are coupled to couplinglines CL1-CLn and some of the input lines IL1-ILm are left uncoupled(i.e., unconnected) or grounded. In some alternative embodiments, inputlines IL1-ILm may be coupled to multiple coupling lines of CL1-CLn andto the LNAs coupled thereto. In various embodiments, programmable switchnetwork may provide numerous different pin-out configurations forcoupling input lines IL1-ILm to LNAs in LNA bank 104 without any systemredesign or reconfiguration. Specific example embodiments are discussedbelow in reference to the other figures that illustrate variousfrequency bands and LNA configurations. In various embodiments, some orall of the input lines IL1-ILm may be coupled to filters, such assurface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment system 120 includingfour single pole triple throw (SP3T) switches 122-128 coupled to LNAs130-134. According to various embodiments, each switch 122, 124, 126,and 128 is coupled to an input line IL1, IL2, IL3, and IL4,respectively, and each switch is also coupled to each LNA 130, 132, and134. In various embodiments, the four programmable SP3T switches 122-128are programmed to couple each of the input lines IL1-IL4 to one of LNAs130-134.

In some embodiments, each of the LNAs 130-134 is configured to receive,amplify, and convey signals in a specific frequency band. Particularly,LNA 130 is configured to receive signals in frequency band B1, LNA 132is configured to receive signals in frequency band B2, and LNA 134 isconfigured to receive signals in frequency band B3. According to variousembodiments, each LNA may have specific input matching networks oroutput matching networks configured to operate with the respectivefrequency band. Further, the output lines OL1-OL3 from LNAs 130-134 maybe coupled together in some embodiments. Some embodiments may includeLNAs and output matching networks as described in the co-pending U.S.patent application with Ser. No. 14/227,479 entitled “System and Methodfor a Low Noise Amplifier” filed Mar. 27, 2014, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

According to various embodiments, there may be any number of inputlines. In some embodiments, the SP3T switches may be implemented as anyother type of throw switch. Further, any number of LNAs may be used insystem 120. For example, four LNAs may be used with three inputs coupledto three SP4T (4 throw) switches. Further embodiment configurations areenvisioned, some of which are described in reference to the otherfigures.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment wireless system 140including antenna switch 142, filter set 144, and LNA component 146.According to various embodiments, antenna switch 142 receives signalsfrom an antenna and switches the antenna signals to outputs RX1-RX11. Inother embodiments, antenna switch 142 may be coupled to multipleantennas and any number of outputs. A mobile industry processorinterface (MIPI) module 143 may receive control signals for switchingthe coupling in the SP11T switch between antenna connection and outputsRX1-RX11.

In various embodiments, outputs RX1-RX11 from antenna switch 142 arecoupled to filters within filter set 144. Each of the filters in filterset 144 may attenuate signals outside a specific frequency band B1-B11.Frequency bands B1-B11 may include overlapping frequency bands ornon-overlapping frequency bands. Further, frequency bands B1-B11 may beadditionally subdivided into sub-bands within the larger frequency bandsB1-B11. In various embodiments, the filtered signals are passed throughinductors to triple pole twelve throw (3P12T) switch network 148, whichis coupled to LNA 150, LNA 152, and LNA 154. Each of the LNAs 150-154may be configured to operate with a specific frequency band or range offrequency bands, such as low-band (LB), mid-band (MB), and high-band(HB), for example. MIPI module 160 may control programmable switchnetwork 148 to control which filter and corresponding frequency bandsB1-B11 are coupled to which of the LNAs 150-154. According to someembodiments, the LB, MB, and HB signals may be multiplexed usingdiplexers 156 and 158 at the output of LNA component 146 in order toprovide a single output line. In other embodiments, each output of eachLNA 150, 152, and 154 may be provided separately to individual outputlines. In still further embodiments, any subset of outputs of anyplurality of LNAs may be coupled together without, or with, the use ofdiplexers.

According to various embodiments, frequency bands B1-B11 may be highlyvariable depending on the intended usage environment. For example,wireless system 140 may include different frequency bands whenconfigured to be used in different countries such as Mexico, China,Korea, Germany, or the United States of America, for example. In suchdifferent environments, filter set 144 and antenna switch 142 may beredesigned to accommodate different frequency bands or even a differentnumber of signals and frequency bands. According to such embodiments,LNA component 146, including programmable switch network 148, may beincluded in the various different systems without any modification andis programmed to couple rearranged frequency bands B1-B11 to one of LNAs150, 152, or 154. The 3P12T programmable switch network is an exampleembodiment and any other embodiment switch networks, such as isdescribed herein, may also be used. In such embodiments, LNA component146 or switch network 148 may be used in numerous different systemswithout redesign.

In the various embodiments, each LNA 150, 152, and 154 may be coupled tomultiple frequency bands through multiple inputs, as shown. In suchembodiments, carrier aggregation may be performed by supplying multiplefrequency bands of frequency bands B1-B11 simultaneously to multipleinputs of programmable switch network coupled to one or more LNAs, suchas LNA 150, 152, or 154. In various embodiments, the multiple frequencybands may be combined before a single LNA or at the output of multipleLNAs, depending on matching network configurations, filters, andmultiplexers, for example.

According to various embodiments, wireless system 140 is attached to aprinted circuit board (PCB). In such embodiments, antenna switch 142,filter set 144, and LNA component 146 are implemented as separatecomponents attached to the PCB. Alternatively, filter set 144 mayinclude discrete filters attached separately to the PCB. LNA component146 may include separate components for LNAs 150, 152, and 154 andanother separate component for programmable switch network 148, eachcomponent attached separately to the PCB. In the various embodiments,any components may be separately attached or grouped together into alarger component and attached to the PCB.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of another embodiment system 180including switches L0-H7 coupled between input lines IL0-IL7 and LNAs182, 184, and 186. According to various embodiments, input lines IL0-IL7receive signals in different frequency bands from an antenna switch andfilters as described above in reference to the other figures. Each ofthe input lines IL0-IL7 is coupled to a corresponding low switch, middleswitch, and high switch that are each coupled to a corresponding LNA.For example, IL1 is coupled to three switches L1, M1, and H1 that coupleinput line IL1 to LB LNA 182, MB LNA 184, and HB LNA 186, respectively.Specifically, low switch Li couples input line IL1 to LB LNA 182 whenclosed, middle switch Mi couples input line IL1 to MB LNA 184 whenclosed, and high switch Hi couples input line IL1 to HB LNA 186 whenclosed. Similarly, the other input lines IL0 and IL2-IL7 are coupled toLNAs 182, 184, and 186 through corresponding switches. Switches L0-H7may be implemented as CMOS transistors. In other embodiments, switchesL0-H7 may be implemented as any type of physically or digitallyprogrammable switch, such as fuses or other transistors. According tovarious embodiments, LB LNA 182 drives output line OL_LB, MB LNA 184drives output line OL_MB, and HB LNA 186 drives output line OL_HB.Further, multiple input lines of input lines IL0-IL7 may be coupled to asingle LNA 182, 184, or 186, for example.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of a further embodiment system 190including LB LNA 192, MB LNA 194, and HB LNA 196. According to variousembodiments, each of the LNAs 192-196 is coupled to 8 of the 12 inputlines IL0-IL11 through the 24 switches SW0-SW23. Thus, system 190includes configurable input line coupling to specific LNAs, but notevery one of the input lines IL0-IL11 may be coupled to any of the LNAs192, 194, and 196. The number of input lines and switches coupling inputlines to LNAs may vary in various embodiments. System 190 may include 8inputs or system 180 may include 12 inputs, for example. Further, anynumber of LNAs may be included in such systems and each LNA may becoupled to a subset of the input lines or to every input line throughspecific switches.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of an embodiment switch system 200including logic circuit 202 coupled to switches SW0-SW7 and digitally orphysically programmable fuse register 204. According to variousembodiments, switches couple input lines IL0-IL7 to LNA 206. SwitchesSW0-SW7 are controlled by logic circuit 202 in order to select which ofthe input lines IL0-IL7 to couple to LNA 206. Output line OL is drivenby LNA 206 and logic circuit 202 receives a select signal or selectinput from fuse register 204.

According to various embodiments, fuse register 204 may be programmed invarious ways. For example, fuse register 204 may include laser fusesthat are physically melted into a non-conducting state using a laser. Inother embodiments, fuse register 204 may include efuses that areelectronically written to conducting and non-conducting states. In otherembodiments, fuse register may include non-volatile memory blocks orregisters that are digitally programmed using a MIPI or a generalpurpose input/output (GPIO) interface. In the various embodiments, fuseregister 204 is programmed with a specific sequence to select none,some, or all of switches SW0-SW7 to be set in a conducting state,thereby coupling none, some, or all of the input lines IL0-IL7 to LNA206.

FIG. 7 illustrates schematic of a switch circuit 210 includingconduction switch 212 and grounding switch 214. According to variousembodiments, conduction switch 212 and grounding switch 214 areinversely controlled by control signal CTRL. When activated, conductionswitch 212 is conducting in order to couple input line IL to couplingline CL, which may be coupled to an LNA (not shown), and groundingswitch 214 is not conducting. When deactivated, conduction switch 212 isnot conducting and grounding switch 214 is conducting in order to coupleinput line IL to ground. Any of the switches described herein inreference to the other figures may be implemented similar to switchcircuit 210. According to various embodiments, conduction switch 212,grounding switch 214, and any other switches described herein may beimplemented as any type of transistor. In a specific embodiment,conduction switch 212, grounding switch 214, and any other switchesdescribed herein are implemented as CMOS transistors.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of an embodiment component 220 with anexample of 20 pins as shown. According to various embodiments, component220 includes ball grid array (BGA) 222 and BGA 224 on a top surface. BGA222 and BGA 224 couple a circuit die or package 226 to the top surfaceand route connections between specific pins and circuit die 226.According to various embodiments, circuit die 226 may include aprogrammable switch network or multiple LNAs, as described in referenceto the other figures. In some embodiments, circuit die 226 includes twocircuit dice, each attached to a BGA. In such an embodiment, one of thetwo circuit dies may include the programmable switch network and theother may include multiple LNAs. In some specific embodiments, inputpins RX1-RX12 may be coupled to an antenna switch or to filters that arecoupled to an antenna switch. Further, output pins A0-A2 may be coupledto an application processor. In other embodiments, circuit die 226 doesnot include LNAs and output pins A0-A2 may be coupled to LNAs separatefrom component 220.

According to various embodiments, the arrangement of input pins andoutput pins may be configured on different sides of component 220. Forexample, all the input pins may be arranged on one side (not shown) andall the output pins may be arranged on another side. In a anotherembodiment, all the input pins RX1-RX12 are arranged on three sides ofcomponent 220 and all the output pins A0-A2 may be arranged on a fourthside of component 220. The number of input pins and the number of outputpins may each be any number in various embodiments. For example, oneembodiment includes a single output pin A0 and 8 input pins RX1-RX8.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of operation 250 for embodiment switchcomponents including steps 252, 254, and 256. According to variousembodiments, a switch component includes multiple input lines coupled tomultiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) through multiple switches coupledbetween the input lines and the LNAs. Each input line is coupled to eachof the LNAs through one of the switches. Step 252 of method of operation250 includes programming a subset of the switches to each form aconduction path coupling each input line to one of the LNAs. Step 254includes receiving an RF signal at an input line and step 256 includesdriving an RF signal at an input of an LNA based on the received RFsignal.

According to the various embodiments described herein, a switchcomponent or network may be coupled to the outputs of the LNAs as well.In such embodiments, the output pin-out may be further programmed inaddition to the input pin-out using switch networks as described hereinin reference to the figures.

According to various embodiments, a circuit package includes aprogrammable switch component including a plurality of input terminalsarranged on the programmable switch component, a plurality of outputterminals arranged on the programmable switch component and configuredto be coupled to a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of switches.Each switch of the plurality of switches is coupled between an inputterminal of the plurality of input terminals and an output terminal ofthe plurality output terminals. Each switch of the plurality of switchesincludes a radio frequency (RF) switch and is configured to pass an RFsignal when closed. Each input terminal of the plurality of inputterminals is coupled to two switches of the plurality of switches.

In various embodiments, the plurality of switches includes singleswitches coupled between each input terminal of the plurality of inputterminals and every output terminal of the plurality of outputterminals. The plurality of switches may include digitally programmableswitches. In some embodiments, the plurality of switches includesphysically programmable switches including laser fuse switches or efuseswitches.

In various embodiments, the circuit package includes a plurality of lownoise amplifiers coupled to each output terminal of the plurality ofoutput terminals of the switch component. The programmable switchcomponent and the plurality of low noise amplifiers may be packagedtogether on a single chip. The single chip may be attached to a printedcircuit board. In other embodiments, the programmable switch componentand the plurality of low noise amplifiers are attached to a printedcircuit board. Each of the plurality of switches may include a CMOSswitch and each of the plurality of low noise amplifiers may include asilicon-germanium amplifier or a gallium-arsenide amplifier.

In various embodiments, the plurality of input terminals are arranged ona first side of the programmable switch component and the plurality ofoutput terminals are arranged on a second side of the programmableswitch component. The first side is different from the second side. Insome embodiments, the plurality of input terminals is greater in numberthan the plurality of output terminals. The circuit package may includea single low noise amplifier coupled to each output terminal of theplurality of output terminals of the switch component.

In various embodiments, the circuit package also includes a low-band lownoise amplifier coupled to a first subset of the plurality of outputterminals and a mid-band low noise amplifier coupled to a second subsetof the plurality of output terminals. In such embodiments, the circuitpackage may also include a high-band low noise amplifier coupled to athird subset of the plurality of output terminals. Outputs of thelow-band low noise amplifier, the mid-band low noise amplifier, and thehigh-band low noise amplifier may be multiplexed together and supply asingle output of the circuit package.

According to various embodiments, a wireless communications deviceincludes a printed circuit board (PCB), a switch component attached tothe PCB, a plurality of low noise amplifiers attached to the PCB, and afilter coupled to an input of the plurality of inputs of the switchcomponent. Each low noise amplifier of the plurality of low noiseamplifiers is coupled to an output of the plurality of outputs of theswitch component. The switch component includes a plurality of inputs, aplurality of outputs, and a plurality of switches coupled between eachinput of the plurality of inputs and two outputs of the plurality ofoutputs of the switch component. In such embodiments, each respectiveswitch of the plurality of switches is selectively programmed to coupleor uncouple an input to an output.

In various embodiments, the plurality of switches includes switchescoupled between each individual input of the plurality of inputs andevery output of the plurality of outputs. In some embodiments, a subsetof outputs of the plurality of low noise amplifiers are coupled togetherat an output line. The wireless communications device may also includean application processor attached to the PCB. In such embodiments, theoutput line is coupled to the application processor through a coaxialcable. In some embodiments, every output of the plurality of low noiseamplifiers may be coupled together at the output line.

In various embodiments, the wireless communications device also includesa plurality of filters. Each input of the plurality of inputs of theswitch component is coupled to a filter of the plurality of filters. Theplurality of low noise amplifiers may include a low-band low noiseamplifier, a mid-band low noise amplifier, and a high-band low noiseamplifier. In some embodiments, the plurality of low noise amplifiersincludes only a low-band low noise amplifier and a mid-band low noiseamplifier. The wireless communications may also include an amplifierpackage attached to the PCB. The amplifier package includes the switchcomponent and the plurality of low noise amplifiers. In someembodiments, the plurality of inputs are arranged on a first side of theswitch component and the plurality of outputs are arranged on anadditional side of the switch component. The first side may include afirst, second, and third side and the additional side may include afourth side.

According to various embodiments, a method of operating a switchcomponent is disclosed. The switch component includes a plurality ofinput lines coupled to a plurality of low noise amplifiers through aplurality of switches coupled between the plurality of input lines andthe plurality of low noise amplifiers. Each input line of the pluralityof input lines is coupled to each low noise amplifier of the pluralityof low noise amplifiers through a switch of the plurality of switches.The method includes programming a subset of switches of the plurality ofswitches to form a conduction path coupling each input line to a firstlow noise amplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers, receivinga radio frequency (RF) signal at an input line of the plurality of inputlines, and driving an RF signal at an input of a low noise amplifier ofthe plurality of low noise amplifiers based on the received RF signal.In such embodiments, the RF signal is driven through the conductionpath.

In various embodiments, programming the subset of switches includesprogramming the subset of switches of the plurality of switches to formconduction paths coupling a first subset of input lines to the first lownoise amplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers and a secondsubset of input lines to a second low noise amplifier of the pluralityof low noise amplifiers. The first subset of input lines and the secondsubset of input lines each may include a plurality of input lines.Programming the subset of switches may include physically writing fuses.In some embodiments, the method of also includes simultaneouslyreceiving a plurality of RF signals at a subset of the plurality ofinput lines and driving an aggregate RF signal at the input of the lownoise amplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers based on theplurality of RF signals simultaneously received at the subset of theplurality of input lines.

Advantages of various embodiments may include simple coupling betweenwireless signal lines and LNAs, decreased redesign, decreased layouttime, decreased unique pin-out generation, increased flexibility ofproducts, and easily interchangeable switch networks that may be placedin different systems without modification.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is therefore intended that the appended claims encompassany such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a programmable switchcomponent comprising: a plurality of input pins arranged on theprogrammable switch component and externally accessible from outside theprogrammable switch component, each input pin of the plurality of inputpins configured to receive signals in different bands from each other; aplurality of output terminals arranged on the programmable switchcomponent and configured to be coupled to a plurality of amplifiers; anda plurality of switches, wherein: each switch of the plurality ofswitches is coupled between an input pin of the plurality of input pinsand an output terminal of the plurality of output terminals; each switchof the plurality of switches comprises a radio frequency (RF) switch andis configured to pass an RF signal when closed; each input pin of theplurality of input pins is coupled to at least two output terminals ofthe plurality of output terminals through one or more switches of theplurality of switches; and each switch of the plurality of switches isdirectly connected to an input pin of the plurality of input pins. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of switches comprisesdigitally programmable switches.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of switches comprises physically programmable switchescomprising laser fuse switches or efuse switches.
 4. The device of claim1, further comprising a plurality of low noise amplifiers.
 5. The deviceof claim 4, wherein the programmable switch component and the pluralityof low noise amplifiers are packaged together on a single chip.
 6. Thedevice of claim 4, wherein the programmable switch component and theplurality of low noise amplifiers are separately attached to a printedcircuit board, and wherein: the plurality of output terminals of theprogrammable switch component are externally accessible from outside theprogrammable switch component; and each low noise amplifier of theplurality of low noise amplifiers is coupled to a separate outputterminal of the plurality of output terminals of the programmable switchcomponent.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality ofswitches comprises a CMOS switch and each of the plurality of low noiseamplifiers comprises a silicon-germanium amplifier or a gallium-arsenideamplifier.
 8. The device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of low noiseamplifiers includes: a low-band low noise amplifier coupled to a firstsubset of the plurality of output terminals; a mid-band low noiseamplifier coupled to a second subset of the plurality of outputterminals; and a high-band low noise amplifier coupled to a third subsetof the plurality of output terminals.
 9. The device of claim 8, whereinoutputs of the low-band low noise amplifier, the mid-band low noiseamplifier, and the high-band low noise amplifier are multiplexedtogether and supply a single output of the device.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of input pins are arranged on a firstexternal side of the programmable switch component and the plurality ofoutput terminals are arranged on a second external side of theprogrammable switch component, the first external side different fromthe second external side.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of input pins is greater in number than the plurality ofoutput terminals.
 12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a singlelow noise amplifier coupled to each output terminal of the plurality ofoutput terminals of the programmable switch component.
 13. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the RF signal comprises a frequency above 700 MHz. 14.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of input pins comprises aball grid array (BGA).
 15. A system comprising: a printed circuit board(PCB); a switch component attached to the PCB, the switch componentcomprising: a plurality of input pins externally accessible at the PCB,a plurality of outputs, and a plurality of switches coupled between eachinput pin of the plurality of input pins and two outputs of theplurality of outputs of the switch component, wherein each respectiveswitch of the plurality of switches is selectively programmed to coupleor uncouple an input pin to an output, and wherein each respectiveswitch of the plurality of switches is directly connected to an inputpin of the plurality of input pins; a plurality of low noise amplifiersattached to the PCB, wherein each low noise amplifier of the pluralityof low noise amplifiers is coupled to an output of the plurality ofoutputs of the switch component, wherein each of the plurality of lownoise amplifiers operates in different frequency bands, wherein each ofthe plurality of low noise amplifiers is directly coupled to a separateoutput of the plurality of outputs of the switch component; and a filtercoupled to an input pin of the plurality of input pins of the switchcomponent.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein a subset of outputs ofthe plurality of low noise amplifiers is coupled together at an outputline.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an applicationprocessor attached to the PCB, wherein the output line is coupled to theapplication processor through a coaxial cable.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein every output of the plurality of low noise amplifiers iscoupled together at the output line.
 19. The system of claim 15, furthercomprising a plurality of filters, wherein each input pin of theplurality of input pins of the switch component is coupled to a filterof the plurality of filters.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein theplurality of low noise amplifiers comprises a low-band low noiseamplifier, a mid-band low noise amplifier, and a high-band low noiseamplifier.
 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of lownoise amplifiers includes a low-band low noise amplifier and a mid-bandlow noise amplifier.
 22. The system of claim 15, further comprising anamplifier package attached to the PCB, wherein the amplifier packagecomprises the switch component and the plurality of low noiseamplifiers.
 23. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of inputpins are arranged on a first external side of the switch component andthe plurality of outputs are arranged on an additional external side ofthe switch component.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the externalfirst side comprises a first, second, and third side and the additionalexternal side comprises a fourth side.
 25. The system of claim 15,wherein the plurality of switches are configured to conduct RF signalscomprising frequencies above 700 MHz.
 26. The system of claim 15,wherein the plurality of input pins comprises a ball grid array (BGA).27. A method of operating a switch component comprising a plurality ofinput pins coupled to a plurality of low noise amplifiers through aplurality of switches coupled between the plurality of input pins andthe plurality of low noise amplifiers, each input pin of the pluralityof input pins coupled to each low noise amplifier of the plurality oflow noise amplifiers through a switch of the plurality of switches, themethod comprising: programming a subset of switches of the plurality ofswitches to form a conduction path coupling each input pin to a firstlow noise amplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers, whereinthe plurality of input pins are externally accessible from outside theswitch component, wherein each of the plurality of low noise amplifiersoperates in different frequency bands; receiving a radio frequency (RF)signal at an input pin of the plurality of input pins; and driving an RFsignal at an input of a low noise amplifier of the plurality of lownoise amplifiers based on the received RF signal, wherein the RF signalis driven through the conduction path and the RF signal includesfrequencies above 700 MHz.
 28. The method of claim 27, whereinprogramming the subset of switches comprises programming the subset ofswitches of the plurality of switches to form conduction paths couplinga first subset of input pins of the plurality of input pins to the firstlow noise amplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers and asecond subset of input pins of the plurality of input pins to a secondlow noise amplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers.
 29. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the first subset of input pins and thesecond subset of input pins each comprises a plurality of input pins.30. The method of claim 29, wherein programming the subset of switchescomprises physically writing fuses.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein:the receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal at an input pin of theplurality of input pins comprises simultaneously receiving a pluralityof RF signals at a subset of the plurality of input pins, each of theplurality of RF signals being signals in different bands; and thedriving an RF signal at an input of a low noise amplifier of theplurality of low noise amplifiers based on the received RF signalcomprises driving an aggregate RF signal at an input of a low noiseamplifier of the plurality of low noise amplifiers based on theplurality of RF signals simultaneously received at the subset of theplurality of input pins.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein programmingthe subset of switches of the plurality of switches further comprisessetting a remainder of switches of the plurality of switches that arenot in the subset of switches of the plurality of switches in anon-conductive state.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the RF signalis driven through the conduction path and the RF signal includesfrequencies above 700 MHz.